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Meter thief pleads guilty to embezzlement charges. Date published: 6/19/2009
BY KEITH EPPS A Stafford County man who stole more than $100,000 from Alexandria parking meters pleaded guilty to two counts of embezzlement yesterday. William Jonas Fell, 61, could receive 40 years in prison when he is sentenced July 23 in Alexandria Circuit Court, but his sentence will probably be much shorter. Fell, who lives in Aquia Harbour, worked for Alexandria for more than 16 years. His most recent job included repairing and collecting money from city parking meters. According to prosecutor Bryan Porter and court records, more than $100,000 in paper money and $7,100 in coins were recovered from Fell's home on Aquia Drive in April. The house was searched as the result of an investigation that began in December after city officials noticed a significant drop in parking-meter revenues. Bob Garbacz, Fell's supervisor, reported that Fell had been coming to work between 3 and 4 a.m. daily. He would then leave in his city-owned vehicle well before his shift was to begin. On Dec. 12, a suspicious Garbacz hid near some parking meters in the 1600 block of Prince Street about 4 a.m., court records state. He heard the coins being removed from the meters, then returned to the transportation headquarters and watched Fell placed a coin-filled plastic bag into his personal vehicle. Police were called, and a camera was installed in the vehicle assigned to Fell. On 10 occasions between January and March, the camera recorded Fell stealing coins from 112 parking meters. In addition to the money, other items connected to the embezzlement scheme were seized during the raid at Fell's home. These included keys to parking meter canisters and computer printouts of meter revenues. They also found evidence that Fell was spending more than his $57,000 annual salary would have allowed. For example, court records state, he paid $22,000 toward a line of credit he'd obtained to finance home improvements. Officials initially estimated that closer to $170,000 was stolen, but Porter said he could prove slightly more than $100,000. Fell claimed in court records that only about $30,000 was stolen. As part of a plea agreement, Porter agreed not to bring more charges against Fell. Fell agreed to make $100,000 in restitution and forfeit two vehicles that had been seized. The money seized from Fell's home will be used to pay the restitution and court costs, Porter said. Fell has been in jail in Alexandria since his arrest April 15. Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
If they found $100,000 in coins in his home, Alexandria is very lucky to get so much back. Embezzlement and fraud usually gets about 3 years, with almost immediate parole in a few months. It sounds like the victim in this case is getting all their money back.
Considering the fact that the man who raped his own daughter got 10 years (in yesterday's paper), the 40 years seem a bit excessive for the crime. perhaps this sentence should have been switch with the child rapist. while this man should be punished for his crime - 40 years in ridiculous, but not quite as ridiculous as the 10 years the child rapist of his own daughter got yesterday.
Read from left to right and top to bottom, then summarize. Elementary reading level. Second paragraph states he still needs to be sentenced and could face 40 years. I hope that he recieves most of his sentence. I have paid for city meters in cities and consider it a rip-off, now this guy is ripping off me and the city? Give him all 40 years.
That sentence won't serve to deter anyone else from doing this same crime. Basically this guy got his bills and frills paid for and then they are going to take the money he stole to pay back his restitution and fines. On top of that he is getting ready to get a rent free dwelling with 3 hot meals a day provided. Damn, why didn't I think of that.
Restitution is paying back the money he stole. If he did not spend it all, then returning it would be considered restitution. He would not be required to return the stolen money AND pay the same amount. The plea agreement is only for 100K so the $107K recovered from his home would be more than enough to make restitution. Although I agree that he is gettingoff easy, his punishment will be the prison sentence and loss of the two vehicles for which there is no mention of their value.
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